Phone operator Hello to launch the latest Blackberry
After launching the Blackberry two times last year, Mobile phone operator Hello will import the latest Blackberry Bold handset, manufactured by Research in Motion’s (RIM), to Cambodia at the end of this month, according to the Post.
Gary Foo, Hello’s Brand Manager, was quoted by the Post as saying that “we’ve seen encouraging take up of our Blackberry in the past couple of months and we would like to continue to capitalize on this trend.”
He added that the Cambodian smartphone market was expanding as mobile users in the Kingdom increasing take up more sophisticated handsets.
Following launching Blackberry at the end of April, 2009, Phone operator launched the first 3G Bold handset in the July.
Construction of Yamaha motor plan delayed
Due to the global financial crisis in 2008, the construction of Yamaha Motor Cambodia Ltd (YMCL) plant, which is the joint-venture partner between Toyota Tsusho Corp and Kong Nuon Import and Export Co delayed again. The Yamaha motor firm would be built worth US$11.5 million in the Phnom Penh Special Zone (PPSEZ).
Matob Michifumi, YMCL managing director, was quoted by the Phnom Penh Post as saying that the project is still under consideration. He added that the construction may restart sometime in the second half of this year, but it is not sure.
He added that “demand for motorcycles in Cambodia is sharply down at the moment. We’re still watching the economic situation. That is the reason we have put the construction of the plant on hold. The plant, if opened, might oversupply the market.”
The approval to develop Anlong Veng for Tourism
The official approval of project to develop the historic tourist site in Anglong Veng, the Oddar Meanchey district was made by the Cabinet of Prime Minister Hun Sen. Tourism development- which is the last political leadership of the genocidal regine- have been made in order to attract the national and international tourists.
Peuy Saroeun deputy governor of Anglong Veng district was quoted by the Phnom Penh as saying that “we have wished to make this a tourist site for a long time, but we did not get official approval. Now that we have official approval, our dream is coming true.”
“It will be useful for the people who live here. They can make a living by selling their goods to tourists in the future,” he added.
Nhem En has long had plans to put his Khmer Rouge-era possessions – including what he says are Pol Pot’s shoes, walking stick and toilet – in a museum in Anlong Veng, though last year he decided to offer them up for sale for US$1 million. That attempt was unsuccessful, according to the Post.
RCAF tested 2000 BM-21 Rockets
After the contentious arm forces have broken out between Cambodia and Thailand along border near Preah Vihear Temple, Cambodian government take more attention to its arm forces until Prime Minister Hun Sen also paid visit to militaries protecting borders and disputed areas.
The military exercise was done yesterday which was overseen by Minister of Defence Tea Banh in Kampong Chhnang province. There were 200 BM-21 rockets tested but the Premier also said that it is a normal part of military exercise.
The Prime Minister added that Cambodia is not flexing its muscles but it is a work to strengthen the abilities of the military in national defence.
Mr Abhisit said, stating that the Cambodian military drill was unrelated to the current political situation in Thailand, he added that he don’t believe the test is intended to threaten the Thai Military as He understand that it is a normal military exercise.
Ou Virak, president of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, was quoted by the Phnom Penh Post as saying that he suspected that muscle-flexing was exactly what the government had in mind.
Google to review a map of disputed Cambodia-Thai border
After Cambodian government blasted Google, giant search engine, over the Google Earth map which was “devoid of truth and reality” and called for its immediate removal because it was not internationally recognized.
In response to the letter complained by Cambodia, the Google Inc. said that it would look into a complaint from Cambodia that an online map showing the country’s border with Thailand was wrong, thought it stopped short of saying it would change the document, reported AP.
A day ahead of the first-ever visit to disputed border by prime minister Hun Sen, Cambodia issued a complaint.
Responding Cambodia’s complaint, a letter dated on February 09, signed by Ross LaJeunesse, Google’s head of public policy and government affairs for Asia Pacific, was provided to reporter on Wednesday said that it was carefully reviewing Phnom Penh’s objection but also suggested that it contact Tele Atlas, a mapping company it says provided the border data to the company, reported AP.
“We understand that the governments of both Thailand and Cambodia are pursuing bilateral negotiations to clarify the existing borders between the two countries and we would be happy to review any authoritative border data which the government of Cambodia can provide,” letter read.
In addition, Cambodia wants Google to replace its current map with one the government says was accepted on 1908 by Thailand.
Svay Sitha, secretary of state of the Council of Ministers, was quoted by Reuters as saying that the map is devoid of truth and reality, and professionally irresponsible, if not pretentious.
“We therefore request that you withdraw the already disseminated, very wrong and not internationally recognised map and replace it,” he said.
In 1962 the International Court of Justice in Hague ruled that the 11th-century temple Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia.
The conflict between Cambodia and Thailand over the border dispute occurred when the UNESCO registered Cambodia’s Preah Vihear as the World Heritage Site on July, 2008 in Quebec, Canada.
PM called for direct flights from Indonesia
In order to increase revenue from tourism sector in Cambodia, Cambodia’s prime minister Hun Sen had a meeting with Indonesia’s House of Regional Representatives Deputy Director Laode Ida in Phnom Penh on Thursday.
The premier also appealed for direct flights between Cambodia between Cambodia and Indonesia as soon as possible.
The Phnom Penh Post quoted Tith Chantha, director general at the ministry of tourism, as saying that the technical teams from both countries are finalizing the process, with flights between Siem Reap and Borobudur on Java expected from April.
US provided fund for HIV/AIDS prevention
The United States embassy to Cambodia Carol Rodley was presided over the launch of a $13.4 million program for the prevention and reduction of HIV/AIDS at a Takeo province last week. He said at the launch of program that the United States looks forward to continuing the support for community initiatives like these.
According to the US embassy’s statement, the five-program US program will offer care to people affected by HIV/AIDS, including people living with the disease and orphans, while also seeking to prevent new infections amongst groups at high risk of acquiring the disease.
In 2010, the US has provided Cambodia $18.5 million for the prevention of HIV amongst those most at risk and for care and treatment of those infected with the disease.
The Khmer HIV/AIDS NGO Alliance or KHANA will run this program which offers training to 60 local organizations and supports more than half the nation’s community-based HIV care teams.